Packing up, breaking camp, moving on to our next boondock!

In the last exciting episode of rvsue and her canine crew . .

Bridget, Spike and I are boondocked in the desert next to Saddle Mountain not far from the little town of Tonopah, Arizona.

Wednesday, March 13

Late in the afternoon I drive over to Bob’s campsite (cheaprvliving.com). Bob has a Chevy Express van, too.

I ask him if he’d like to ride over to another part of the BLM land to take a walk with our dogs. “Sure!” he replies.

No question that Bob’s dog, Homer, is game for a ride in the PTV.

Without hesitating, he jumps onto the passenger seat. He finds a place to sit between the seats and waits expectantly, facing the windshield. Bridget wiggles nervously behind him and Spike claims the bench seat. Bob climbs in the passenger seat and off we go. I drive very slowly down our lane. I’m careful to avoid the big, bad, sharp rocks.

Bob and I have developed a pleasant routine of morning chats-and-walks, and then late afternoon chats-and-walks.

As we walk toward the cliffs (first photo), I tell Bob I’m going to leave in the morning for a new camp. I have several reasons: freshen up the groceries, take on water, dump, go to my bank, order stuff and have it delivered to a UPS store, get a haircut, do laundry, take the PTV to a brake shop, and probably more stuff I’m not remembering as I write this.

I can do all these things in Wickenburg which is only an hour’s drive north of here.

Not that I can’t do them elsewhere, but Wickenburg is very handy. For instance, my bank, Safeway grocery, and the laundromat are all at the same intersection.

As I drop Bob and Homer off at their campsite after our walk, Bob asks, “Will I see you again before you leave in the morning? I mean, what time are you going?”

Thursday, March 14

It’s going to be a hot day in the nineties. It would make sense to get up and get going while the morning is cool. I usually do just that on a travel day. However, today I wake up feeling lazy. I dawdle at the computer sipping my coffee, take a sponge bath, and putz around until I notice it’s already 9 o’clock.

Bob comes along with Homer.

“You’re still here!” Bob announces as he walks up.

I explain my slow start, and, of course, we can’t help but gab, gab, and gab some more about blogging. At one point I’m tempted to stay another day. No, I should push on. I’m on the verge of slipping into a writing rut. A new camp is what I need. Bob and I exchange emails, say goodbye, and he continues up the lane with Homer.

The sun is bright and the day becomes very warm.

My ambition kicks in. My two blue chairs and the side table fit in the space in front of the bench seat on the driver’s side of the PTV. The lounger slides in next to the door.

Having passenger doors on both sides of the PTV makes loading and unloading stuff easy.

The PTV has eight doors in all!

I pull up the stakes from the corners of the outdoor rug. I start to fold the rug and all is going well until Spike comes along and lies down on it. He refuses to get off it.

“What’s with you, Spike? Don’t you want to leave?”

I pick him up and put him in the front seat of the PTV. He does not look happy.

“Spikey, you always love going to a new camp. What? Are you going to miss Homer?”

As soon as the quilt is placed on the bench seat, Bridget gets in.

I finish folding the rug and secure it with two bungee cords. It slides in by the door next to the bench seat on the passenger side of the BLT.

The dog pen is behind the passenger seat, my kayak paddles are secured behind the pen, and tote bags hang from the wire grates.

A small rug keeps the water dish from moving around in transit. Sometimes Bridget and Spike like a drink while riding along.

Being lazy, I didn’t wash the dishes or clean out the coffee pot this morning.

It doesn’t matter. I put the dirty dishes, the pot, and other loose kitchen stuff in a dishpan and place it all on the floor.

If I stopped to clean dishes and organize, I’d never get going!

I secure the interior, placing things on the floor rather than letting them fall. I take down the antenna and store it inside the BLT.

I always take this precaution before towing.

Yet another use for duct tape!

Spike isn’t in the PTV. Oh, boy, where did that renegade run off to?

I look around until I find him under the BLT. He refuses to come out.

“Spikey! We’re going!”

I crawl under, pull him out, and place him inside the PTV next to Bridge.

Before long we’re hitched up and on the road to our new camp!

Here’s what I see when I look back at the crew from the driver’s seat. What a pair of sad sacks today! Hmm . . . Maybe they need more sleep.

Where are we going?

Do you remember where we were when horses grazed around our campsite?

That’s right! We’re on our way back to Congress for more BLM boondocking!

rvsue

NOTE: Bridget and Spike sleep all the way. Well-rested with a new camp to explore, the crew is happy again. More about our new camp in the next post!

Oh poor little Bridget and Spike don’t look like happy campers … ha ha ha.
Love the post on how you pack up the van. I was just wondering about that the other day. Glad you were able to see Bob. Really enjoy reading both of your blogs.

What happened to Bridget squealing with delight at the prospect of going ‘somewhere’ while boon docking near Yuma? Spike I notice falls in love with certain camps i.e. the lake he took a soak in and got green-around-Spike. They will enjoy the cooler weather and hopefully meet new canine friends in Congress.

P/S Do they like to play with toys? My dogs love toys and play tug of war all the time and wrestle around and chase one another or pouncing on each other. They make me laugh so much with their antics. Chowder is four years old and Ralphie will be two in October.

Your dogs sound like so much fun. No, Bridget and Spike aren’t much for toys. Spike will play with one for a few minutes and then he’s done with it forever. Bridget doesn’t understand the concept of play. . . She’s a serious little girl.

Grumpy teenagers, ha, ha ha! That’s a good one. I just ordered a iPad Defender Series Case for my son’s birthday present, hopefully through your site. I clicked on the button on your site but Amazon knew me when I got there. Hope you get the credit.

Well y’all know who lives in Congress Arizona eh. If your uppin to a chin wag in the next little while after your settled in give us a shout & we’ll set ourselves down a spell & get our chins to waggin. I haven’t told Pheebs that Spike & Bridget have rolled into town yet……..:))

Sounds like Mr Spike wasn’t into moving today. That glare from the front seat says it all. And then he makes you crawl under the BLT? Oh dear! Bridget’s concerned look is precious…like she’s saying…I dunno what’s up with Spike but I’m ready to roll!

What a busy day of things to do while in town. More stuff?? There isn’t enough time in the day!

The little pony is cute. I can’t believe they get that close to your site.

It appears that Bob, you, Homer and the crew really enjoyed each others company.

I doubt Congress will be less hotter than Tonopah. Back in 2009 my wife and I left the Brenda area of Arizona thinking the higher elevation of Congress would be cooler…wrong. It gets hot there so we had to go up the mountain to Yarnel for some relief.

Sounds like you and Bob really enjoyed each other’s company. That’s not always easy to find.

Although spending a few hours for a few days is different than being together ALL the time. I have friends that I can be with for only a few hours and some that I can be with for days for a trip together, but it doesn’t mean I could live with them. LOL

Sounds like you wore out those dogs! Looking forward to your next post and to see where you end up next time!

This is rather long for a post but I believe it’s worthwhile. It addresses the “Someday” we’ve discussed.

…A QUOTE FROM STERLING HAYDEN’S BOOK, WANDERER

To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea… “cruising” it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.

“I’ve always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can’t afford it.”

What these men can’t afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of “security.” And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine – and before we know it our lives are gone. What does a man need – really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in – and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That’s all – in the material sense, and we know it.

But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade. The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.

Jim, This is absolutely true and something I’ve been trying really hard to convince my brain of! It’s tough to let go of decades of conditioning to take that leap. I’m working on it though. Thanks for the quote.

Please feel free to share any of your experiences at the Casita factory or in the exciting days thereafter. I’m sure many would love to hear what it’s like to pick up a new home-on-wheels, or to relive that happy day in their own lives.

OK_how DO you keep that rug clean?
I really had to ask
Thank you for the parting qoute
You are quite right_and i have sailed with no money
and ended up on a mail boat to Bequia
I am landlocked now and waiting for acourt case before i take my son and venture onward
Hopefully the judge will rule in my sons favor (for support) and we can be out of here.
Does anyone have any hints for dealing with chronic migraines onthe road?
Hopefully leaving this place will be a cure all for my son.
It been in the works for a yr now

I had horrible headaches about five times a week for years. They were so bad I missed work or went to work and then couldn’t function. I had to lie down immediately upon coming home from work, sleep for 20 minutes or so, in order to be able to cook supper. Now I have no headaches. Well, I had one or two because I drank too much caffeine the day before.

About 4 years before I retired, I got rid of my headaches through diet management. I eliminated all dairy products, wheat, and chocolate from my diet. The headaches stopped immediately.

About 6 months later I ate some chocolate at Christmas and did not get a headache. Gradually I went back to the forbidden foods, but in moderation. I wish I had known the cause many years earlier.

How do I keep the outdoor rug clean? The dirt sweeps off or falls through the weave. If you mean an indoor carpet, the BLT has a vinyl floor. I don’t know how I’d keep an indoor carpet clean.

Hi Sue,Loved your post. I’m glad you showed how you pack!!(my Hubby says we’re going to have a hard time finding everything a place to store when moving!) Loved the quotes from Sterling Hayden——I have a favorite saying I saw years ago that I try to keep reinforcing in my mind. “FEAR–The THIEF OF DREAMS!” So so true! Hugs to the Pups! Dixie

I love hearing the details of your move. There are so many things to think about if I want my life to remotely resemble your lifestyle in the near future. I love the way you have a routine to make the move comfortable for the crew. May all of you have great adventures exploring your new campsite!

I haven’t commented in a while but i still enjoy reading your blog every day..I was just wondering if you have heard fron Rusty and Timber? have a good day and hope you and the crew find a good location to camp. Thanks _Abel.

About every seven years our body chemistry changes, sometimes headaches go away at this time of change. Sleep is a good way for me to make them stop. Throw your TV away and get your eyes checked. Remember to wear sun glasses out side along with a hat and reading glasses inside when you read. Stop listening to the news and get out of the stock market…who needs this headache? Stop spending your un-money on stuff you don’t need. Plan on buying a yawt and sailing to the south seas…..read what AZ Jim wrote. RVing is nice in the USA but things are changing rapidly, for peace of mind weigh anchor and set the sails for Bora Bora.

Oh! Did I say Bora Bora? I meant New York city…tee hee hee. Not many will heed my advice so I’m not worried. When the Nazi’s were taking over Germany most people stuck their heads in the sand, looked the other way or shrugged their shoulders and said, “what can I do, I’m just a poor farmer” or what ever. The smart ones packed their bags and fled to places more secure.

Sue..I just found your blog and can’t wait for the next post. So interesting! I just bought a used Scamp 13 foot trailer. I will be pulling it with my 2001 Subara Forester. I have car-camped in my Forester for a couple of years so I feel blessed to have the Scamp. I will be shopping for a notebook or tablet to stay in touch with family and friends. Do you have any suggestions which kinds I should look at. How do you get internet way out in the boondocks? I’m old school with a computer and regular cell phone. Thanks in advance for any insight you can give. Love your blog! Jan from Oregon

I don’t know anything about notebooks and tablets. I use a laptop with a Verizon 4G LTE card. This card is wireless, but I do hook mine up to an antenna to strengthen the cell signal in the boondocks (See header “Internet Antenna” – Click on the WiFi Schematic.)

I pay a monthly fee to Verizon. Initially I went to a Verizon office where I got the card and they hooked me up with a data plan.

I have not commented in awhile. I ordered cat flea pills and two pheramon cat collars on your amazon link a few days ago. Loved when you were by the horses last year. Things seem to be getting hot in a hurry there in Arizona. Are you planning on moving north soon?

I always get a chuckle out of the crew’s reactions to things – the expressions on their faces sometimes is priceless! Spike crawling under the trailer to avoid moving sounds like my dog Oliver crawling under my desk to avoid being put in his crate when I leave the house.

I read a quote somewhere similar to what AZ Jim posted. A ship is safe in a harbor, but that’s not what it was designed for. That’s encouragement and inspiration that I’ve used in the past to take risks and travel different places alone. And your blog and adventures are inspiration for me to get my real planning started on getting an RV and hitting the road, part time at first, maybe full time later.